Oct. 29, 2008

Findings from smoked body mummies restoration project presented

From left: Ron Beckett, Josh Bernstein and Brian Lovett, director of "Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein."

The project involved assessing the condition of the mummies, developing a restoration plan for the smoked bodies and working with the villagers as consultants and participants.

Research team members included:

• Beckett, former co-host of National Geographic Channel's "The Mummy Roadshow"
• Ulla Lohmann, film and photo journalist
• Josh Bernstein, host and executive producer of Discovery Channel's "Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein" and former host of "Digging for the Truth" on The History Channel

The focus of their research is on the restoration of the mummies, especially Moimango, who was the father of the current Koke Village chief Gemtasu. Upon his death, Gemtasu wishes to be mummified and placed alongside his father, overlooking the valley of Koke in the central Highlands jungle in Papua, New Guinea.

The team's assessment included an external physical examination using direct observation and close examination using a hand lens. The external examination was followed with an internal examination of the mummy's body cavities using a battery-powered endoscope. Following the assessment, the team devised a plan of action and experimentation on what might best work to restore Moimango and the other mummies in Koke Village.

During a press conference held Oct. 28, the team explained the case study of Moimango's restoration in greater detail. "Many unique factors make this a significant study in mummy restoration from the previously unstudied and distinctive mummification methods, to the study of the people of Anga, who actively use mummification as a part of their culture," Beckett said.

Lohmann first approached Beckett about assisting the Anga in restoring and maintaining their ancestors at the 2004 World Mummy Congress in Torino, Italy. The Discovery Channel funded the proposed research as part of its new series, "Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein." Lohmann and Bernstein brought their expertise to the restoration project to round out the team.

The information derived from the study was also presented at the conference, "Declaration of Human Rights 60 Years Later, A Look at Indigenous and Gender Issues," which was held Oct. 28 at Quinnipiac.

Financial support for the research project was acquired from the Discovery Channel, Quinnipiac University and from the researchers themselves.